When the D1Baseball.com All-America teams were announced June 26, it was not just a celebration of individual talent — it was a statement for the Sun Belt Conference.
With six players earning honors, the league led all non-power conferences and continued to prove that programs like Coastal Carolina, Georgia State and Southern Miss belong in the national spotlight.
That national recognition came during a postseason in which the Sun Belt’s strength was on full display — especially through Coastal Carolina’s run to the College World Series.
Yet despite the program’s recent success and a roster filled with top-tier talent, much of the national media framed the Chanticleers’ appearance in Omaha as another Cinderella story.
Head coach Kevin Schnall was quick to push back on that narrative when asked by reporters after a recent tournament victory.
“This is not a fluke,” Schnall said after winning the Auburn Super Regional. “This is not a Cinderella deal. This is a program that has extremely high expectations.”
That seems to be a prevailing thought around the conference. The national media may treat the Sun Belt’s success as unexpected, but programs within the league believe they belong among the best in college baseball.
🇺🇸⭐ 2025 D1Baseball All-Americans ⭐🇺🇸
(Presented by @rapsodo)National champion @LSUbaseball leads the way with four players on D1Baseball’s All-America teams, and runner-up @CoastalBaseball isn’t far behind. https://t.co/ylDIUa6ls6
— D1Baseball (@d1baseball) June 26, 2025
While All-American lists often spark debate among diehard baseball fans, Sun Belt supporters saw them as vindication.
According to D1Baseball.com, over the last four seasons, only the four power conferences have produced more All-Americans than the Sun Belt.
With six players honored in 2025, the Sun Belt had the most selections from a non-power conference in that span. The next closest was Conference USA, which had three All-Americans in each of the past two seasons.
Those six selections from the Sun Belt showcased the league’s depth and talent across the diamond.
Offensively, both catcher Caden Bodine (Coastal Carolina) and second baseman Kaleb Freeman (Georgia State) earned first-team honors.
Bodine hit .318 and recorded 18 doubles and 41 RBIs. Freeman led the Panthers by batting .349 with 16 home runs, 28 doubles and 46 RBIs.
Our D1 Baseball All-American 🤠#LightItBlue | #BLB pic.twitter.com/TB8WJMWo4Y
— GSU Baseball (@GSU_Base) June 27, 2025
Nick Monistere (Southern Miss) gave the Sun Belt two of the nation’s top second baseman, as his .323 batting average, 21 home runs and 72 RBIs earned him a spot on the second team.
Jacob Morrison (Coastal Carolina) was named to the first-team starting rotation after compiling a 12-1 record and 2.42 ERA. His ERA ranked second among the five starting pitchers selected, trailing North Carolina’s Jake Knapp. Morrison also recorded 104 strikeouts in 107 2/3 innings pitched.
Adding to their resume
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/piXjivS5jA#ChantsUp I @d1baseball pic.twitter.com/LqDicjM4uq
— Coastal Carolina Baseball (@CoastalBaseball) June 26, 2025
JB Middleton (Southern Miss) went 10-1 in 16 starts with a 2.31 ERA in 105 1/3 innings pitched. Opponents batted just .174 against him—the lowest mark among all starting pitchers on the three All-American teams, tied with Yale freshman Jack Ohman.
Our D1 Baseball All-American 🤠#LightItBlue | #BLB pic.twitter.com/TB8WJMWo4Y
— GSU Baseball (@GSU_Base) June 27, 2025
Cameron Flukey, who started Game 1 of the CWS championship series for Coastal Carolina, was named to the third team. He finished his sophomore season 7-2 in 17 starts with a 3.23 ERA. In 97 2/3 innings pitched, he struck out 117 batters while walking just 24.
The Sun Belt’s six All-Americans in 2025 highlights a conference that is no longer content with being overlooked. With consistent postseason success and elite individual talent, programs within the conference have proven that they belong in the national conversation. The rest of college baseball is finally taking notice.
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